BCO_National_Awards_2026_Suplement - Flipbook - Page 10
BCO Awards 2026
COMMERCIAL WORKPLACE
Sponsored by 8build
Client
Corran Properties
Owner
CBRE IM
Regional Winner
Commercial Workplace
Scotland
Occupiers
Multi tenanted
Project Manager
Axiom Project Services
Quantity Surveyor
Axiom Project Services
30 Semple Street
Edinburgh
10 • ESTATES GAZETTE • October 2026
Architect
MLA
Interior Designer
MLA
M&E Engineer
KJ Tait
Structural Engineer
Blyth and Blyth
T
he redevelopment
of this prominent
city centre building
represents a “new age” of
retrofit, winning the first
BREEAM Outstanding
certification in Scotland for an
office building refurbishment.
The original building at 30
Semple Street was stripped
back to frame and fully
refurbished, including the
creation of a central core
and two floors. The project
has significantly enhanced
not only the appearance and
performance of the building
but also the Exchange District.
The team set out to achieve
the highest environmental
accreditations while creating
a welcoming, bright and
flexible space with excellent
amenities. The judges said 30
Semple Street had absolutely
delivered across the board.
The façades were designed
to enhance the building fabric,
with minimised heat loss and
the incorporation of thermal
breaks and argon fill to improve
overall insulation value. The
clean energy technology used
here is the first example of its
kind in Scotland.
The introduction of a new
core has rationalised the
layout and improved the
net to gross ratio, together
with the addition of the new
floors. The façades maximise
daylight and windows can
Brief Consultant
MLA
Sustainability Consultant
KJ Tait
Contractor
Ogilvie Construction
Investment / Property Co
CBRE IM
Developer
Corran Properties
Technology Consultant
KJ Tait
Agent
Cuthbert White
be opened when external
temperatures are suitable.
The judges were impressed
by the quality and calibre of
the enhancements, describing
the building as unrecognisable
from its starting point and an
outstanding example of what
retrofit can achieve. This is
reflected in the fact that 30
Semple Street has set a new
benchmark for office rental
levels in Edinburgh.
The judges added: “The
amenity areas, wellbeing
spaces and finishes are of
a very high quality, adding
a subtle luxe feel to the
building, which creates a real
sense of place and gives the
building a true personality.”
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